Pembrolizumab: An Immunotherapeutic Agent Causing Endocrinopathies

Abstract

Pembrolizumab is an immune checkpoint inhibitor (programmed cell death 1) approved for use in non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). Pembrolizumab has shown remarkable results in regression of the size of tumors in NSCLC and has shown survival advantage. However, immune-related adverse effects are a serious negative outcome of therapy. The number of immune-related adverse effects with pembrolizumab has increased significantly over the recent past. We present a case of type 1 diabetes mellitus and autoimmune thyroiditis with pembrolizumab treatment for NSCLC.